Top awards for soldiers at Hounslow Cavalry Barracks

Thomas Slocombe, of 1st Battalion Welsh Guards, received a Mention in Despatches for his bravery in Afghanistan

A SOLDIER who gave life-saving first aid amid an enemy onslaught during his first week of action has received a top military award.

Guardsman Thomas Slocombe, of 1st Battalion Welsh Guards, based at Hounslow Cavalry Barracks, was helping clear a Taliban safe haven in Afghanistan last April when he became involved in a three-hour fire fight.

The soldier, then aged just 19, risked his life to drag a seriously injured colleague 20 metres to cover, where he administered first aid.

The following day, he guarded the doorway of a compound as bullets whizzed past him, before courageously facing down three insurgents charging towards the entrance.

His bravery earned him a Mention in Despatches, one of the oldest military honours available, which was announced today (Friday, March 22).

His citation read: "Aged only 19, his exceptional actions over these two remarkable days were exemplary in every respect and well beyond that expected of a new soldier in his first week on operations."

Guardsman Slocombe was one of four soldiers from his battalion and 119 personnel in total to be recognised for their conduct in Afghanistan last summer.

Captain Benjamin Bardsley, 27, who nearly died after being shot in the chest by the Taliban last May, was awarded the Queen’s Commendation for Valuable Service (QCVS).

Just weeks earlier he had put aside his shock and grief at the loss of two colleagues shot by rogue police officers to help secure the area and ensure relations with the Afghan Police were not damaged.

Sergeant Robert Heath, who took command of a patrol and led them to safety after his commander was injured in a Taliban attack, also received a QCVS.

Guardsman Ratu Soko received a Mention in Despatches for 'routinely turning the course of fire-fights' during a series of insurgent attacks last July.